Book 114: The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri
Book 114: The Lowland.
Author: Jhumpa Lahiri, 2013.
Genre: Period Fiction/Contemporary. Politics. Racial Issues. India/USA.
Other Details: Hardback. 340 pages.
From Subhash's earliest memories, at every point, his brother was there. In the suburban streets of Calcutta where they wandered before dusk and in the hyacinth-strewn ponds where they played for hours on end, Udayan was always in his older brother's sight. So close in age, they were inseparable in childhood and yet, as the years pass - as U.S tanks roll into Vietnam and riots sweep across India - their brotherly bond can do nothing to forestall the tragedy that will upend their lives. Udayan - charismatic and impulsive - finds himself drawn to the Naxalite movement, a rebellion waged to eradicate inequity and poverty. He will give everything, risk all, for what he believes, and in doing so will transform the futures of those dearest to him. - synopsis from UK publisher's website.
I re-read this novel as it was a library reading group selection and I wanted to refresh my memory so that I could take part in the discussion fully. While most of my observations from last year remained ( 2014 Book 116) I found a deeper appreciation for the writing and the interactions between characters.
The novel was very well received by the group and generated plenty of discussion for its style, themes, and characters
Cross-posted to 50bookchallenge.